Motor-vehicle.



W. H` MUZZY.

MOTOR lvEIIIOLE. APPLICATION FILED OEOZQ, IQIO,

LLOLOOO 2 SHEETS VSHEET l.

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W. H. IVIUZZY.

MOTOR VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29. 1910.

LL@ I Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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WILLIAM H. MUZZY, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

MOTOR-VEHICLE.

Application led December 29, 1910.

State of Ohio, have invented certain new` and useful Improvements inMotor-Va.

hicles, of which I declare the following to be avfull, clear, and exactdescription.

Thisinvention relates to improvements 1n motor vehicles and has moreparticular relation to improvements in controlling mechanisms for thesame.

One of the several objects of the invention is to provide improvedcontrolling devices for the machine which are in turn controlled fromthe steering column or pillar.

Another object of the invention'is to provide improved devices for thecontrol of the machine which may be operated in several different ways'at the option of the driver,

v to accomplish the same results.

Atfurther object of the invention is to provide devices` which areautomatic in their operation, for controlling the several functions ofthe motor without special attention from the driver. p

There are also other objects of the invention which will be apparentfrom the following description.

' The linvention consists of cert-ain novel constructions, combinationsand arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter moreparticularly .described 4and claimed. Y

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification: Figure1 represents a side elevation, partly in section of a motor Vehicle withmy improvements applied thereto; Fig. 2 represents a detail sec-' tionofthe `steering post and connections taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;Fig. 3 represents a detail vertical section through the hood or bonnetshowing the controlling devices which are operated bythe steeringpillar; Fig. 4 represents a detail side elevation of the adjustable'controlling disk and its connections; Fig. 5 represents a detailelevation of the samef'looking in the direction of the arrow shown inFig. 4; Fig. y6- represents a detail side elevation, partly insection,'. of the laterally movable steering shaft and its ringconnection with the gear segment.; and.Fig.7 represents a side eleva-Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.l

serial No. 599,979.

tion of the samepartly in section, the segment and its link being alsoshown.

Before starting upon a detail description of the several constructionswhich comprise this invention I irst wish to state generally the weakpoints of construction which are now present in motor vehicles or motorsbeing sold upon the market.

There are two functions, 1n the present motor vehicles, which 'requirethe expenditure of considerable energy of the operator and these are thestarting of the motor and the application of the brakes. Thesefunctions` are at present controlled by small levers and cranks givingvery little leverage. It is not practical to increase the leverage ofthese parts as they are at present arranged but there is one part in amotor vehicle which performs another function and is of considerablelength and leverage. This part is the steering post and I have utilizedthis post and other companion parts for-.securing the desired power forcontrolling the several functions of the machine. I have also provideddevices whereby this steering post is made to control all the functionsof the machine without any particular attention from the operator.

-In the accompanying drawings 1 represents they frame of thev machine, 2the engine, 3 the steering post and 4 the auxiliary controlling post.The steering post 3 is hollow and supports a spark lead rod 5 which isarranged` to be movedl longitudinally therein to lead or retard thespark as desired. This post 3 is' provided'with ythe usual operatingwheel 6 at its upper end and is `journaled and supported by a shaft 7 asbest shown in Fig. '2; suitable collars 8 and 9 Figs. 2 and 7 is mountedupon a short shaftv 13 which is journaled` in said frame 12 and carriesa vertically extending arm 14 slotted at its upper end, as at 15 toreceive apin 16l which is mounted upon a sleeve 1 7. This latter sleeve,as best shown in F ig. 6, is loosely journaled on a shaft 18' formingpart of a frame 19, and having theysame axis'as the shaft 7; The sleeve17 while free to rotate upon the shaft 18 is held from longitudinalmovement independently of .the same, by two collars 20 and 21 fast tosaid shaft E18. By the above .described devices the rocking of thesegment 11 in either direction will cause a longitudinal movement of thevshaftv 18 and the frame 19. This shaft 18 as well as the lower portionof the frame 19 are mounted to slide laterally in pendentframe plates 22and 23 secured to the main frame 1. A turn buckle 24 is included in thelower rod of the frame 19 to adjust the relation of the frame 19 to across bar 25 which is connected to said frame and also to the steeringknuckles 26 which are mounted in the ends of the axle 27 and carry thefront Wheels 28. It will be seen from the above that the free rotarymovement of the sleeve 17 permits the segmental gear and its connectedparts to swing with the steering post without disturbing the connectionwith the frame 19. The frame 12 is of yoke formation and is journaledupon the shaft 7 and sleeve 32 whereby it may rock and follow themovements of the steering post. The upper part of this frame 12 alsoforms a support forV the hollow post or sleeve 4 which supports acontrolling wheel 29 at its upper end and is provided at its lower endwith ak bevel gear 30. A collar 31 is also mounted on said sleeve abovethe frame 12 to prevent any longitudinal 'movement of the sleeve. Thegear 30 meshes with a similar gear 31 which is fast upon a sleeve 32journa-led upon the shaft 7. The sleeve 32 thus supports the shaft 7 andis in turn supported by the frame plate 23. The

` outer end of the sleeve 32 is provided with a gear 33 whichis formedin its outer face near its periphery with a series ofrecesses 34. Thegear 33 meshes with a pinion 35 fast to a sleeve 36 which is journaledupon a short shaft 37 mounted rigidly in the plate 23. The .outer end ofthe sleeve 36 carries a sprocket wheel 38Which is connected by a chain39 to a. smaller sprocket wheel 40v` 'loosely mounted upon the motor'shaft 41 and provided with a pawl 42 which is arranged to engage aratchet wheel 43 fast to the motor shaft.. By this means the wheel 40causes the motor shaft to revolve with it inone direction but leaveslthe'motor shaft free to turn ahead independently after the motor isstarted as will be readily 'understood.

It will be seen from the above description that the gear 33 may beoperated in two ways-to start the motor. The lirst method 'ing L wheelmay If desired the downward movement of the.

steering post may be accompanied by a'rotary movement of the Wheel 29thus giving an additional movement to the gear 33 to start the motor.When so desired the motor may be started by simply rotating the wheel 29in the proper direction. This may take place with the steering postinany of its positions of inclination;

The preferred method of starting the motor however isV to simply graspthe wheel 6 and draw the same together with the steering post toward theoperator; the post having been previously moved to its vertical positionupon the operator leaving the car. In such 'an operation means must beprovided for preventing the turning of the wheel 29 as it is not alwaysconvenient to take hold" of this wheel at the same time. This meanscomprises a lug 44 carried by the rod 5, as plainly shown in Fig. 1, andprojectingv into corresponding notches formed in the upper edges of thesleeves 3 and 4, when the rod is in its lowered posi! two wheels areunlocked so that the steerbe -rotatedfree of the wheel 29.A K As it isdesirable at times to start the movtor from` the wheel 29 alone meansmust be provided for automatically retarding the spark to the fullextent by the action of moving the steering'post to its verticalposition in leaving the car. This means comprises a stud'44a projectinglaterally from the lowerv end of the rod 5 and through acurved slot 45formed in a cam lever 46, which, as best shown in Fig. 2, is `fast uponone endof a short shaft 47 mounted' to rock in the plate 22. Thisshaft,v as shown in Fig. 1', is provided with a vertically extendmg army'48 which is connected by l a link.- bar 49-to a `bell-crank lev'er`50which in turn is connected by a link 51 to the contact block 52 mountedon the cam shaft 53 of the motor. The movement of the block retards oradvances the spark lead in a manner well known in the art and needing nofurther description here. When the cam lever 46 is in its normalposition shown in Fig. 1 its slot is concentric to the shafts 7 and 18but when the spark is advanced by drawing upon the rod `5 the slot isbrought into an eccentric position so that when the steering post ismoved forward the lever 46 will be gradually returned toward its norm'alposition thus retarding the speed of the engine by the movement of thesteering post forward as will be hereinafter more fully described. Asthis return of the lever 46 as above described is dependent upon thefrictional contact between the rod 5 and the sleeve 3 I provide Ineanswhereby the lever 46 is positively returned should the above devices noteffect its return. For this purpose the upper edge of the lever 46 is ofcam formation and is arranged to be struck by the lower edge of the wormwheel 10 as the steering post is moved forward as plainly shown inFig. 1. The slight vertical movement that must be given to the rod 5 todisengage the lug 44 from the notches in the tops of the sleeves 3 and4, when it is desired to start the motor by the wheel 29, is notsuiiicient to materially affect the lead of the spark.

The shaft 7 supports a laterally movable clutch and controlling disk 55which is provided upon one side with a series of laterally projectingpins 56 which are arranged to enter the notches formed in the gear 33when the disk is moved laterally and thus couple the two together. Whenthe motor is being started the disk is held out of engagement with thegear 33 by a pivoted clutch lever 57 which engages the walls of achannel 58 formed in a collar 59 connected to said disk. The upper endof the lever 57 is pivotally` connected to a .link bar 60. This bar isprovided with a pin 61 which projects into a slot 62 formed a. pivotedfoot lever 63 which is mounted in the main frame and is normally tionwith the gear 33 by a' coil spring 64 interposed between the pedal andthe main frame.

`l"\When the operators foot is placed upon thevpedal as shown in Fig. 2.the clutch is moved out of engagement with the gear 33 land tlielatteris thus freev to move independforced l upward to throw the clutch intoconnec-A 66a mounted upon the sleeve 4 by a coil i spring 67 thatconnects it to the main frame as shown in Fig. 1. The steering andcontrolling posts pass through the slot of this ratchet bar. A slottedlink bar 68 connects the ratchet bar 66 tothe foot pedal so that whenthemotor is being started the teeth of said bar may be moved clear ofthe pins on the sleeve 4. The slot.and pin connection between the bar 68and the foot pedal however allows the ratchet bar to be depressed by thefoot without depressing the foot pedal as for instance when it isdesired to move the steering post farther toward the rear in controllingthe motor. It will be seen from the vabove thatthe ratchet bar onlyprevents the steering post being moved rearward and allows free forwardmovement of the same. This construction provides a support lfor holdingthe steering poslt in any of its adjusted positions of contro As .abovedescribed the steering post has been utilized for starting the motor andcontrolling the spark lead but in addition to this the post alsocontrols the brake, the switch, the lubricating oil, the gasolenesupply, and the sprag, as well as thethrottle of the motor.

The brake and the throttle of the motor are controlled from the disk 55in the following manner: By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that thegas supply pipe 70 of the motor is provided with an apertured throttleslide 71, which is normally held in its open position shown in Fig. 1,by a spring 72 which connects it to the engine cylinder. The forward endof the slide 71 is suitably guided in the main frame and is connected tothe disk 55 by a coil spring 73 as best shown in Fig. 4. The oice ofthis spring vis to permit additional movement of the disk after thethrottle is fully closed to subsequently apply the brake. This brakecomprises an annular flange applied to each of the rear wheels and abouteach ofwhich a band brake 75 passes. These brakes: are applied by levers76 which are in turn actuated by rods 77 which are suitably linkedtogether and are connected to arod 78 slotted at .its forward end as at7 9. A pin 80 mounted on the disk 55 projects through the said slot andthe relative arrangement of the parts is such that the rod 78 willcommence to move just after the throttlehas been fully closed. Themachine is thus throttled before the brake can be applied and withoutany'special attention from the operator. He simply pushes forward uponthe steering post and the engine is gradually throttled' and the braketinally'applied. At the same time the spark isr gradually retarded inthe manner. 'before described.' As the post is pushed forward it is heldagainst retrograde movement by the ratchet plate 66 but can beinstantlyvreleased if desired to allow the post to swing back again, bydepressing the rear end of the plate 66 with the foot. When it isdesired to move the steering post to its vertical position the pedal 63is depressed andthedisk 55 disengaged from the gear 33 thusdisconnecting the post from the brake and the throttle, the latterreturning automatically to its engine starting position in which thefeed pipe is only partly open and the engine thus throttled down toprevent racing. When the pedal 63 is released the throttle slideisvmoved automatically to fully open the feed pipe 70 as shown in Fig. 1.This automaticmovement of the throttle slide is effected bythe lateralmovement of the disk 55 under the iniuence of the spring 64. When thedisk moves laterally in this manner a stud 81 projecting from theperiphery of the same contacts with the cam edge 82 of a lug 83 which ismounted on the plate 23 and the disk is thus rotated slightly to drawupon the spring 73 and draw the throttlek slide-to the position shown inFig.- 1. The

lug 83 also acts as a stop for the disk 55 tov arrest it in its normalposition when it moves back after being released from the gear 33.

The above described devices provide for the control ofthe throttle, thebrake and the spark lead as well as the starting 'of the motor and thesteering.

The throttle control, the spark lead and the brake control areaccomplished by the steering post or the axuiliar post as desiredwithout in anywise inter ering with the regular steering action of thesteering post.

When it is desired to control the above'functions without moving thesteering post back and forward the wheel 29 is simply rotated in onedirection or the other to move-the disk 55 correspondingly. It is thusoptional with the operator in what manner he will 'control the functionsof the car and he can at will change from one means of control to theother without any adjustment of parts. As the motor cannot be startedunless the pedal 63 is depressed it will be 'seen that the throttleslide must always be ,inthe motor starting. position at this time and nodamage can be Idone by giving the motor toofgreat a charge in starting.j

The above functions relate to the regular starting and running of themachine and I will now pass on to the description of the devices whichcome intooperation when the machine andmotor are to be'stopped. Thesedevices, as best shown in Fig. 3 comprise aheaded rod 84 which isvnormally projected into the path of lthe steering post orth'esleevejsurrounding the same by a coil spring 85 which is mounted in asuitable housing 86 of the hood frame and engages the inner,

end of the said rod. Whenthe steering post which are in turn provided'with cocks 91 and 92. These cocks have operating arms and 94 which areprovided with round pins 95 and 96 which project into slots 97 and`98formed inv arms 100 carried by .the rod 84. When the devicesare in theposition shown in Fig.'3 the oil and gasolenev are turned oif but whenthe steering post is drawn forward to start the motor the oil andgasolene are automaticallv turned on. This movement also actuates apivoted switch arm 101 to bring the same into contact with a switchcontact spring 102 andl thus complete the circuit. The rod 84 isconnected to the switch arm 101 by a pin 104 thereon and projecting intoa slot formed inthe arm. A pivoted lever 105 mounted upon the main frameis slotted at itsupper end `to receive a pin 106 projecting from the rod84. The lowell end of the lever 105 is connected to a link rod 107 whichin turn is connected to two sprag rods 108. Mounted upon thehub of eachrear wheel is a rigid toothed ring..` f

110 with which coperates av pivoted locking dog 111 of bell-crankformation. This dog is supported upon a brace plate 112y which alsosupports the brake hub 113 and is normally held out of engagement with`the toothed ring 110 as shown in Fig. 1.

When the steering post is moved fully to its vertical position howeverand the rod 84 forced fully inward the locking dogs are forced intoengagement with the toothed rings and the rear wheels are thuseffectually locked against movement in either direction.

twill be observed Vthat all of the above I 'operations are automaticandare controlled from the steering post without any attention from theoperator as they accompany ythe usual movements of the steering post inentering or leaving the machine.

Let us suppose'that the machine is at rest and the motor still. Theoperator now steps into the machine and after depressing the pedal 63 hegrasps the wheel 29 and draws the steering post rapidly toward him. Thisoperations as any and thereafter fully controls the machine by simplymoving the steeringpost back and forth as desired. Or in lieu of thismovement he controls by rotating the wheel 29. Should the operator getinto a ti-ght place and desire to make a sudden stop he simply presseswith his foot upon the head of the rod 84 when the machine is instantlyarrested and the engine stopped. If so 'desired independent rods for thecontrol of the switch,l oil, gasolene and sprags could be arranged sothat one or vices could be adjusted without the other. The outwardmovement of the rod 84could also be ma'de positive if so desired byproviding said rod with a spring slip which would takedhold of thesteering post.

I do not care to limit my invention to a steering post for accomplishingthe different other form of lever or 4 crank may be employed toaccomplish the functions which I have shown as controlled by thesteering post.

AIt will of course be understood that the invention is not limited tothe particular form of steering post shown as the invention can also beapplied to many other forms of steering mechanism such as the tillerpost or lever and the vertical post withl controlling lever at the top.

I also do not care to limit my invention to the constructions of thecontrolling devices for the oil, gasolene, spark brake and sprags as anyother desired constructions' may be employed at the points shown or inproximity to the parts affected without departing lfrom the spirit of myinvention.

For instance the oil andI gasolene controllingy devices mightv bemounted directly upon the engine and connected to the controlling partsby an suitable links or levers.

l'It will o course be understood that the oil tank is not only connectedto the engine i cylinder but also to the bearings and any other ,partyof the machine in which aconvstant supply of oil is desirable.

It will also be observed that the .operator cannot forget certainoperations in starting, stopping and controlling the machine, astheperformance of all of the functions of the machine automatically followsthe movements of the steering post without any thought from theoperator.

Having I claim as new and desiretosecure by Letters Patent is:

1 In a motor vehicle the combination with the running gear, of a gasmotor, a lever steering post pivoted to swing `as a whole havingpermanent connection with the running gear, and gearing actuated Aby thetilting action of the steering member for manually turning over themotor to start it.

2, In a motor vehicle the combination the other of the dethus describedmy invention whatA witha running gear, of a 'gas motor, a lever steeringpost pivoted to swing as a whole, and gearing for manually turning overthe motor to start it and for controlling the motor, the gearing beingcontrolled by the tilting action of the steering post.

3. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, ofanexplosive motor, a brake, a steering member pivoted to swing as lawhole, and gearing controlled by the tilting action of the steeringmember for manually turning the motor over to draw its charge of gasand'also for applying the brake.

4. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of a gasmotor, a tilting steering post, and gearing for manually turning overthe motor to start it, controlled by the tilting actionv of said post.

5. In a motor vehicle the combination `with a running gear, of a gasmotor, a tilting steering member pivoted to swing as a lwhole having arotary steering action, andgearing actuated by the tilting action of thesteering member for manually turning over the motor to start it.

6. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of a gasmotor, a tilting steering member pivoted to swing as a whole, andgearing for manually turning member, a brake, a switch for the motorcircuit, and oil tank and connections, a gasolene tank and connections,means controlled by the steering vmember for turning. on and off theoil, the gasolene and the switch, and means for applying the brake bythe steering member.

.9. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, ofy a motor,a pivoted steering member, a spark controlling device connected to themotor, means for'starting the motor from the steering member and meansfor leading or retarding the spark by the tilting action of the steeringmember.v

10. In a motor vehicle the combination .witlna running gear, of a motor,a pivoted steering member, a spark controlling de- 'vice connected tothemotor, and means for leading or retarding the spark by the tiltingmovement of the steering member.

.11. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of a motor,a tilting steering member for turning over the motor, a sparkcontrolling device connected to the motor and means for automaticallyretarding the'spark lead when the steering member is moved toward avertical position.

12. In a *motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of a motor,a steering post having both tilting and rotary movements, a switchcontrolling the motor c1rcuit, oil and gasolenesupply devices, and meansfor controlling the switch and the oil and gasolene supply devices bythe steering post. l A y 13. In a motor vehicle'the combination With arunning gear, of a motor, a steering member with connections, forstarting the motor and starting devices independent of the steeringmember for starting the motor.

14. In a motor vehicle the combinationl With a running gear, of a motor,a steering member, means for starting the motor from the steering memberbymoving the latter, and means mounted upon the steering member forstarting the motor Without moving the steering member at the option ofthe driver.

15. In a motor vehicle the combination With the running gear, of amotor, a starting means for the motor, a steering post for actuatingsaid starting means, and means mounted upon the steering post butindependently movable for actuating said starting means.

16. In a motor vehicle the combination With a running gear, of anexplosive motor, a tilting steering post, and a starting means forturning over the motor tostart it concentric with the fulcrum of thesteering post and operatedn by the tilting action of the Same.

17. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of a motor,a steering post having a tilting movement for starting the motor, aspark controlling device connected to the motor, means for starting themotorv connected to the steering post and means for retarding the sparkWhen the steering post is starting the motor.

18. In a motor vehicle the combination' With' a running gear, of amotor, a tilting .Steering post, a controlling sleeve concentric withsaid post and independently movable,

post, steering devices for the vehicle Wheels mounted to movelongitudinally in the fulcrum plane of the post and means connectingsaid post and steering devices whereby the post may be tilted Withoutaecting said devices.

A 22. In amotor vehicle the combination with a running gear,of a motor,a tilting steering post, a sleeve surrounding said post, a movablemember actuated either bythe steering post or said -sleeve or both, andmeans Aconnecting the movable member t0 lthe motor for manually startingthe same.

23. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of a tiltingsteering post, a fulcrum device forsaid post, means actuated by the postfor moving the fulcrum device longitudinally Without changing thepivotal relation ofthe post and fulcrum, and means connecting thefulcrum device to the steering Wheels.

24. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of asteering post, a fulcrum shaft for the post permitting movement at rightangles to its rotation, a Worm and gear controlled by the post formoving the fulcrum shaft longitudinally, and means connecting thefulcrum shaft to the steering Wheels.

25. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of a tiltingsteering post, a motor, a controlling sleeve surrounding the steeringpost, a fulcrum shaft for the steering post, a journal sleevesurrounding said shaft, bevel gears connecting the con` trolling sleeveand'the journal sleeve and means'for starting the motor from the journalsleeve.

26.` In a motor vehicle the combination With a running gear, Iof amotor, a tilting steering post and a spark lead controlling device, andconnections concentric with the steering post and operated in thetilting of the post.

27. In a motor vehicle the combination With a running gear, of asteering post, a

^ motor,I a motor starting member mounted on and moving with said post,and a spark lead controlling device for locking the post and member forsimultaneous operation whereby the motor cannot be started unless thespark is fully retarded.

28. In a motor vehicle the combination with a running gear, of asteering member,

'a fulcrum shaft for the steering member connections between thesteering member and shaft for moving the latter longitudi 'nally toefect the steering Without changples the 'starting means to Jche motoronly ing the pivotal relations and means for conwhen the spark has beenretarded. 1v

necting the shaft to the .steering Wheels. In testimony whereof affix mysignature 29. In a motor vehicle the combination in the presence of twoWitnesses.

with a running gear, of a motor, sparking VVILLAM H. MUZZY.

devices for the motor, a starting means for Vtnesses:

the motor, and a spark controlling device M. H. MUZZY,

and connections which by its movement cou- E. J. FINKE.

